China is a developing country, therefore intelligence importing and human resources development, realized through international co-operation and professional exchanges, are important to help the country accelerate its development, said Liu Ming, chairman of China Marco Polo Award Foundation.

The foundation is a non-governmental organization established in 1994. One of its tasks is to organize foreign volunteers to help China update technology in various fields.

For now, Liu said, the foundation's work concentrates on helping Chinese officials and entrepreneurs strengthen their understanding of WTO game rules.

Foreign experts, scholars and entrepreneurs up to date on WTO rules will be on the A list of invitations by the foundation, Liu said. They are expected to work between two weeks and six months in China. The programme will provide expenses on air tickets, food and accommodation during their stay in China.

Foreign experts interested in the programme are expected to contact the Marco Polo Award Foundation via the e-mail address: wtofc722@yahoo.com.

The programme, presently orientated to the co-operation with US companies and organizations, will expand its co-operation worldwide, Liu said.

The foundation will establish an international volunteer expert association to guarantee that the programme develope smoothly as expected, Liu said.

With the support of related ministries and the municipal government, the Tianjin-based foundation has organized 46 professional volunteers to work as experts in such areas as securities, insurance, accountancy, auditing, health care, art, agriculture, science, education, police, commerce and environmental protection in the past seven years.

The experts were key speakers in 22 seminars organized by the foundation. More than 4,000 Chinese officials and business representatives from 28 provinces and cities attended the seminars.

(China Daily December 4, 2001)